Head Upholsterer
2 days ago
Esher
Head Upholsterer (Bespoke & Commercial) Esher, Surrey (South, West London) Salary: Up to £45,000 (depending on experience) Our client is a UK-based bespoke furniture maker and interior design/manufacturing studio, known for producing high-quality, luxury, custom-designed furniture. Their client base includes interior design practices, architects, and commercial clients across the South East and beyond. As the business continues to grow, they are looking to appoint a senior, commercially-minded upholsterer to lead the upholstery function and raise standards across delivery. Head Upholsterer Opportunity This is a very senior, hands-on role within the workshop, with significant ownership of the end-to-end upholstery output. The Head Upholsterer will take projects from drawings/specification through prototyping and full production, ensuring exceptional finish, consistency, and reliability. You will be confident dealing with high-end clients and internal stakeholders, advising on frames and construction in partnership with the joinery department, and continuously refining how the department operates. You will oversee a small team (another upholsterer and a sewing machinist). This is not a big-management position — it is a lead-by-example role for a top-level craftsperson who can organise work, set standards, and keep jobs moving. Head Upholsterer Key responsibilities • Deliver bespoke, high-end upholstery to exceptional standards across modern and traditional techniques, • Own commercial upholstery projects end-to-end: planning, materials, build method, upholstery execution, finishing, and sign-off, • Read and interpret technical drawings, specifications and client briefs; translate them into practical build methods, • Support product development: prototype new designs, refine patterns and methods, and solve technical challenges, • Act as a confident, well-presented client-facing representative when required (supporting client discussions, presenting solutions, explaining technical options), • Liaise closely with the joinery department to advise on frames and construction (comfort, durability, serviceability, and finish), • Take ownership of materials planning and ordering (fabrics/leathers, foams, interlinings, sundries), ensuring cost control and availability, • Maintain and improve quality control: set department standards, run checks at key stages, and ensure consistent results Essential experience • Proven background in bespoke, high end, luxury upholstery within a furniture maker/manufacturer studio (not volume/production-only), • Strong track record delivering high-end luxury furniture with excellent finish and attention to detail, • Experience working on commercial upholstery projects end-to-end (managing the full process yourself), • Confident reading and working from drawings/specs, • Strong knowledge of modern and traditional upholstery techniques, • Comfortable taking ownership of materials selection and ordering, • Excellent communication skills (written and spoken English); professional, client-friendly manner Desirable • Experience supporting product development/prototyping for designers/clients, • Continuous improvement mindset in a workshop environment, • Experience coordinating small teams (informal leadership/mentoring) Working hours & benefits • Permanent, full-time position, • 40 hours/week (typically 8:00am–5:00pm Monday to Friday; flexibility available), • Opportunity to work overtime, • Modern, friendly facilities How to apply For more information and to apply, please email your CV today or call the number provided.